August Conversions Add 46 Franchise Hotels to Marriott International
AUGUST CONVERSIONS ADD 46 FRANCHISE HOTELS TO MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL
Over Half Outside the U.S. -- Testament to Company's Strong Brand Preference
WASHINGTON, D.C., -- August 31, 2000 -- Earlier this month, Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR) demonstrated its strong brand preference with the announced conversions of 46 non-Marriott hotels. In an industry with many choices, the franchise conversions reflect the power of the Marriott name and its ability to attract customers, owners and franchisees.
As part of Marriott International, the converted hotels will benefit from the company's industry leading sales, reservations and distribution systems, and participation in Marriott Rewards, the world's largest hotel frequent travel program, with more than 13 million members.
The conversions include 26 former Swallow Hotels operated by Marriott's U.K. franchise partner, Whitbread Hotel Company, and 20 Chalet Susse hotels operated by Olympus Hospitality Group (a subsidiary of Olympus Real Estate Corporation). Ten of the Swallow properties were converted to the Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites; Renaissance Hotels, Resorts and Suites; and Courtyard by Marriott lodging brands. The remaining 16 Swallow Hotels are scheduled for conversion by the end of 2001. The conversion of the Chalet Susse hotels will begin following a major renovation of the properties, which has already begun, and is expected to be completed by August 2001. All of the Chalet Susse properties will be converted to the Fairfield Inn by Marriott brand.
Tom Marder
Gordon Lambourne
(301) 380-2553
(301) 380-1368
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MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE:MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with over 2,000 operating units in the United States and 57 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Horizons brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by Marriott division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution, procurement services and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 149,000 employees. In fiscal year 1999, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $17.7 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
Note: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements concerning the timing for and completion of the conversion of the remaining hotels, that are not historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein.